Folding rule or straight-edge.



lN0; 715,925. Patented DBO. I6, |902.

J. WUHSCHMIDT.

FOLDING RULE 0R- STRAIGHT EDGE.

(Application led July 14, 1902.) (No Model.)

l: lflllliiilln UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB WURSCHMIVDT, -OF ROSEAU, MINNESOTA.

FOLDING RULE OR STRAIGHT-EDGE..

`i;IEECIFIGAJJJION forming part of Letters Patent No. 715,925, dated December 16, 1902- i Application filed July 14, 1902. Serial No. 115,508. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AooB WUEsoHMIDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Roseau, in the county of Roseau and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Rules or Straight-Edges; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same.

This invention relates to an improved folding rule or straight-edge.

The object of the invention is to provide a rule or straight-edge which is simple of construction and inexpensive of production, which can be folded in close compass, and in which novel locking mechanism is provided for holding the sections thereof rigidly straightened out.

With this and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the unfolded rule, showing one of the catches in locking position and the other swung out of locking position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a side view showing the rule folded. Fig. 5 is a plan View, on an enlarged scale, of the hinge-joint. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 7 is a detail view showing the tongue 16 in engagement with pin 18.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 1 represents the body of the rule or straight-edge, which may be formed of two or more sections and which is shown in the present instance as consisting of three sections 2, 3, and 4, formed ofwood, metal, or a composite structure, as desired, and preferably so constructed as to prevent warping. Each section may be provided with a plate or pointer 6 intermediate of its length or six inches from either end of a twelve-inch section for convenience in quickly reading the graduations of the rule.

Between each two sections of the rule is arranged a block 7, carrying bearings 8 for pintles 9, to which the knuckles of two hingeleaves 10 and 11 are secured, which leaves are respectively fastened upon the ends of the rule-sections, forming a joint to allow said sections to be folded one upon the other. As shown in Fig. 4, the end sections 2 and 4 are adapted to fold in reverse directions one upon the other and over the intermediate section 3, the hinge-joints allowing the blocks 7 to stand at right angles to said sections, so that the sections may fold in parallel relation and so that a rectangular folded structure will be formed which may fit readily Within va correspondingly-shaped case.

The hinge leaves or members 10 and 11 are provided with headed locking pins or studs 12 and end extensions 13 and 14, and to one of these end extensions is pivotally connected at one end a bow-spring catch 15, whose free end is adapted to bear upon the other end extension and is provided with a reduced tongue 16, perforated to engage pins 17 and 18 on said sections. The bowed portion of this catch is provided on its under side with headed locking-studs 19 to fit under andengage the studs 12 when the catch extends longitudinally with the rule, and thus to rigidly lock the rule-sections in alinement for use. When the studs are in locking engagement, the tongue 16 engages the pin 17 and prevents the catch from moving out of locking position. When-the catch is swung out of locking position to allow the rule-sections to fold, the tongue 16 engages the pin 18 and pre vents the catch from swinging loose. It will thus be seen that simple and effective locking means are provided to hold the rule-sections extended.

The blocks 7 or one end of one of two sections hinged together may be provided with adj usting-screws 19'. These screws are adapted to be moved out when required to prevent either section from folding too far back, which may occur when the hinge parts become loose, thus enabling the sections to be kept in exact alinement. l

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, Inode of operation, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood without requiring an extended explanation.

IOC

Various changes in the form, proportion, and details of construction may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Arule or straight-edge comprising hinged sections provided on opposite sides of the hinge-joint with locking-studs, and a catch' pivoted to one section and vadapted to be swung parallel with the sections, and provided with coacting locking-studs whereby a locking connection is afforded on each side of the joint, substantially as set forth.

2. A rule or straight-edge comprising hinged sections provided on opposite sides of the hinge-joint with lockingstuds, a bowed spring-catch pivoted to one section and adapted to swing over upon the other section and bridge the joint, and provided with coacting locking-studs, and means for securing the free end of the catch in its locking and released positions, substantially as set forth.

3. A rule or straight-edge comprising sections provided with hinge members, a block between said sections carrying bearings for the hinge members, studs upon the hinge members, and a catch pivoted to one section and adapted to be swung parallel with the sections and provided with coacting lockingstuds, substantially as set forth.

4. A rule or straight-edge, comprising sections prcvided with hinge members, a block between said sections carrying bearings for the hinge members, locking-studs at the ends of the sections, a catch pivoted to one section and adapted to be swung parallel with the side faces of the sections and provided with coacting locking-studs, and an adjusting-screw coperating between the block and adjacent end of a ruled section to prevent the sections unfolding out of alinement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JACOB WURSCHMIDT.

Witnesses:

JACOB PEDERsoN, JACOB SoNsTENG. 

